HOW TO LOSE AN ELECTION - MARY ANN BALDWIN STYLE

How do you lose an election? Well pretty much drag yourself into matters that do not even pertain to Raleigh governance and make thousands of parents across the city loaded for bear. Parents will vote on one issue this fall and that's school reassignment. Period.

That's what Mary Ann Baldwin did at the March 17, 2009 meeting of the Raleigh City Council. Not only did Mary Ann Baldwin vote for the resolution, but she also presented the resolution to the council.

Another school diversity flavor aid drinker, Councilman James West, praised the socio-economic diversity experiment, stating "diversity and those kinds of things proven that they have worked." Of course, he does not offer any proof of this - just like his buddy Chuck Delaney over at WCPSS.

You can watch the video here. Go to E 3 on the menu.

Also, you should send an email to Councilman Isley, thanking him for his no vote. He appears to be on the sole voice of reason on the Raleigh City Council. He can be reached at pisley@boyceisley.com. The resolution passed with 7 members (including Mayor Meeker) voting in favor of the resolution with Isley casting the lone no vote.

Any parents that would like to "thank" the Raleigh City Council for turning their backs on you in your battles against an unresponsive school bureaucracy, you can reach them here. I personally recommend you thank them on October 6, 2009.

Here's the resolution:

RESOLUTION NO. (2009) 842

A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SUPPORT
OF THE RALEIGH CITY COUNCIL
FOR THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM

WHEREAS, the Wake County Public School System has consistently provided our citizens with one of the best school systems in the state and the nation, providing a solid educational foundation for our children and contributing to our County's economic prosperity; and

WHEREAS, the upkeep of our Wake County schools is imperative for our continued educational, economic, and cultural sustenance and growth.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA THAT:

Section 1. The City supports the current district elections of the Wake County Board of Education as a means of ensuring minority and district representation, and controlling campaign costs, and the City supports the school's diversity policy to ensure a balanced and equal education for all our City's children.

Adopted: March 17, 2009

FLUSH BALDWIN OFF THE RALEIGH CITY COUNCIL

"We need to keep in mind that the arts are an economic generator and they do provide jobs to our citizens."

Mary Ann Baldwin
Raleigh City Council Meeting
February 17, 2009

Mary Ann Baldwin (At-Large) also responded to Isley’s concerns and argued that going ahead with construction would help create jobs in Raleigh. The public safety center is expected to cost $226 million.

Mary Ann Baldwin speaking on the construction of the new Clarence Lightner Public Safety Center.
Raleigh Public Record
www.raleighpublicrecord.org
December 2, 2008

I think we've heard this before. Remember back in 1992 when they said the new convention center would create 1000 new jobs?

Ask Mary Ann Baldwin where the 1000 new jobs are that were created with the new convention center. I'm sure she would be happy to provide those figures. Surely if arts funding and building the new public safety center are going to create jobs, then the convention center must have created jobs as well.

How about this proposal Mary Ann?

Why don't you sponsor an amendment to this proposal to require that all arts spending be done with Raleigh artists and Raleigh vendors? Let's make sure the money stays local. That's what you want. Correct?

Let's not forget Mary Ann Baldwin's Piece de Resistance.

The Riverwalk.

Email Mary Ann Baldwin, ask her to produce the economic forecast for permanent job creation related to arts. She can be reached at mary-ann.baldwin@ci.raleigh.nc.us

Who needs the circus. We have plenty of clowns on Hargett Street.